Driving While Texting Will Earn You a Ticket In Kansas

On January 1, Kansas joins 29 other states in officially banning texting while driving. Police have been giving warnings for the past 6 months, but will now be handing out tickets from $150 and up if you are caught texting behind the wheel. E-mailing and instant messaging are also included in the ban. There are exceptions for reading emergency, weather related, or traffic related texts.

I always love the studies that are done on these types of things. Studies have shown that drivers who are texting are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash. Other studies show that bans on texting and driving are not effective. So basically what we know from these studies is that we have a problem, and the government's solution to them is not working - Imagine that.

Like most laws, this is well meaning if not thoroughly thought out. It's also kind of lazy. Other States have passed these ineffective laws, so we will do so also - See voter, we are doing something to protect you. Legislators need to justify their existence and show the electorate they care and they are looking for solutions.

There are a couple of problems with this particular law. The first being enforcement. How can you be sure someone has violated the law? Maybe they were looking down at their phone for the time, how about directions? Is it any more dangerous to look at a piece of paper that has directions on it? What about the exceptions for Emergency, weather and traffic alerts? Can the officer confiscate your phone to see who or what you are reading?

The second problem is the lack of necessity of the law. There are already laws in place for Careless and Imprudent Driving whether the cause is simple stupidity or distraction of a cell phone, child, or whatever. A new law simply is not needed. What do you think?

Chiefs Pound Titans - AFC West Champs 2010

Merry Christmas Chiefs Fans. The Chiefs dismantled the Titans on Sunday 34-14 - and the Chargers choked at Cincinnati losing to an awful Bengals Football team. Your Chiefs are going to the NFL Playoffs after completing an unlikely two year turn around under Head Coach Todd Haley and General Manager Scott Pioli.

The offensive game plan was exceptional, and execution was spot on. The way we came out throwing was great. When the passing game is working (i.e. Receivers catching the ball), this team is unstoppable. It creates such a problem for the defense - who do you stop? The Chiefs scored on their first four possesions and had a 24-0 lead before the Titans scored on a long pass to Britt. A quick 3 and out by the Chiefs and for a second I was worried they might let Tennessee get back in this one. That's when rookie Safety Eric Berry intercepted an ill-conceived Kerry Collins pass and made an incredible run back to the endzone.

Defensively, the Titans never could get anything going. Our front seven played determined and I think the refs could have called holding or illegal block on just about every play for Tennessee. Our guys just manhandled them and the Titans line was having a tough time. Barring a couple of plays where they were out of position, our secondary played quite well. Remember, both of our Safeties are Rookies and they will only get better - the physical tools are obviously there.

Kansas City Chiefs, AFC West Champs - I like the sound of that. A home playoff game - that sounds nice, too. Now lets go beat the Raiders!

Chiefs Titans AFC West Playoff Picture - Rich Gannon Tool

Chiefs PUNK Titans, and Rich Gannon is a TOOL
by Kansas City News

The Kansas City Chiefs took out the Tennessee Titans today effortlessly, the game was over by halftime and for some reason I thought that the Titans had a running back?  What was his name again?  Oh well, I can't remember.  The Chiefs took apart the Titans defense by finally throwing the football EARLY and often.  Jamaal Charles was electric as usual, catching two early touchdown passes from Matt Cassel.

Here at Kansas City News, we've been saying all year that the Chiefs need to throw the ball early in the game to get the defense off of our running game, and they must have read our blog as they finally did just that.

Tennessee Titan's receiver Kenny Britt made a hilarious attempt at "shushing" the Kansas City Chiefs home crowd when he made one pathetic touchdown catch.  This was hilarious.  Yeah, Britt, you really shushed us, since we were up 24 - 7 at that point.  Idiot.

On another note, we officially hate Rich Gannon and wonder why we always get stuck with him calling our games.  It's obvious that Rich Gannon HATES the Chiefs as he tries his best to play up the other team, and reluctantly gives the Chiefs credit when they succeed.  The Chiefs now control their destiny in the AFC West and hopefully the Chargers will choke today.  Kansas City News was first on the scene to report today's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tennessee Titans...

Merry Christmas Kansas City from Us

From all of us at Kansas City News we would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas.  Enjoy the company of your friends and family, and forget your troubles for at least the weekend.  Have a drink of Champagne and soak in the beauty that is the holiday season.  Stay home and appreciate the decorations that you and your loved ones have spread cheerfully around, or go out on the town and experience the magical sights that Kansas City has to offer during the Christmas season. 

We've been to many great events in the past few weeks, a magical night at The Hyatt Regency, a festive affair at The Downtown Marriott, and a wild night out on the Plaza.  But the best nights were the ones that we spent right here at home, decorating and gradually building up presents under the tree, and even sneaking out with a flask of holiday juice (homemade recipe changes every year but this year it was a chilled flask of Peppermint Mocha Kahlua mixed with Kettle One) to drive around the neighborhood and look at the Christmas lights.

This Christmas I'm really going to focus on appreciating the small things, and appreciate what I've got instead of what I don't.  I've already watched "The Christmas Story" 3 times and I'm in the middle of "White Christmas" right now...

DUI Checkpoints in KC - December 23rd, 24th, 25th

Holiday Weekend DUI Checkpoints in Kansas City
by Kansas City News

Well, the holiday weekend is upon us, and with it comes the police.  Kansas City's finest will be out in full force over the holiday weekend on December 23rd, 24th and 25th.  Please try not to drink too much if you're going to drive this weekend - nothing would put a damper on the holiday weekend than a DUI and a few hours in jail.

DUI charges are no longer easy to deal with.  In the old days, as our old friend and retired lawyer Robert A. would tell you, you could get 4 or 5 DUI convictions and still have a license.  Today, you are pretty much allowed 1 DUI, and even 1 is going to suck.  You're talking about spending the night in jail, possibly having your car impounded for up to 1 year, losing your license, paying around $1500 total (not including the lawyer), going to traffic school, and then finally going on probation for about 2 years.  Sound fun?  Well then stay home if you're going to drink this weekend, because they WILL be setting up checkpoints.

Common DUI checkpoint areas in Kansas City include anywhere along Southwest Trafficway, anywhere along Ward Parkway but particularly at 79th Street or 77th Street.  There will be checkpoints somewhere along Wornall Road, most commonly around 75th Street, or as far south as 93rd Street just as you round the corner to head south to the stoplight at 95th street.